On 2 pages of my Bible, in Numbers 33, are recorded 40 years of wandering; each sentence a stage on that epic journey. Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the…

Do you ever feel discouraged? It’s such a stark place where you can no longer see possibility. I can’t help but think that’s what Moses felt here in Numbers 32. Did he think, “Here we go again!” when the Reubenites and Gadites approached him and all the leaders of the community for them to stay…

I confess it’s difficult to read Numbers 31 in light of what is happening in this world of ours. The Lord said to Moses, “Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. They fought against Midian, as the Lord commanded Moses, and killed every man. Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who…

The definition of a vow is a solemn promise. Our vows, our solemn promises to God are important and have weight. In Numbers 30, God is making provision for a parent or a husband to protect their young daughters or young wives should they make a vow to God that those with more experience and…

Numbers 29 continues with God setting forth the the special times the people are to observe and with each of the final three observances are the words hold a sacred assembly v. 1, 7, 12. In reading each of these I can’t help but think about the future time when all will worship God in…

This morning there was the most beautiful sunrise infusing the world in soft orange. Even as I basked in the light, I couldn’t help but think of the saying “red in the morning sailor take warning” and yet, surrounded as I was by color so intense and pure and palpable, I couldn’t help but delight…

In centuries past in human tradition women couldn’t inherit land. It was given to the nearest male relative leaving women vulnerable. Not so here in Numbers 27. There are five daughters of Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh and no sons to receive property as an inheritance. They go before Moses, Eleazar and the leaders…

After reading Numbers 26, in my prayer time with God , I couldn’t help but think about the 38 years that the people have wandered in the wilderness. Now they are on the brink of entering into the Promised Land and so a census is ordered by God so that the allotments of inheritance per…

The people were blessed in the last Chapter and a sorcerer gave that blessing after his eyes were opened to God. And yet. His way of life led him. His way of life corrupted himself and the people he led to corruption. Why does that matter? What has that to do with us today? “To…

I wish there were words wonderful enough to describe the joy of waking up to God’s Presence and love. I have the joy of participating in 3 small groups with people whose desire is to grow closer to God. We share. We pray. We are lifted up by both. In our MidWeek Encounter the expression…